What We Treat
Benzo Addiction Treatment in Los Angeles, CA
Benzodiazepine addiction can take hold quickly, especially with medications like Xanax, Klonopin, Ativan, and Valium. At Wellness Detox LA, our clinical team provides safe, medically managed benzo detox in Los Angeles to help you stabilize, ease withdrawal, and begin long-term recovery with confidence.
What Is Benzo Addiction?
Benzodiazepine addiction happens when the brain comes to depend on sedatives prescribed for anxiety, insomnia, and panic. Over time it takes a higher dose to get the same calm. That is tolerance, and physical dependence follows. Once you are dependent, stopping suddenly can trigger severe withdrawal — including seizures.
Commonly misused benzodiazepines include Xanax (alprazolam), Klonopin (clonazepam), Ativan (lorazepam), and Valium. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), 10,870 overdose deaths in the U.S. involved benzodiazepines in 2023, with the majority occurring when benzos were combined with opioids or alcohol. This makes professional medical detox essential for anyone physically dependent on these medications.
Signs & Symptoms of Benzo Addiction
Physical
- Drowsiness, slowed reaction time, or feeling "sedated"
- Slurred speech or poor coordination
- Blurred vision or dizziness
- Withdrawal symptoms between doses (tremors, sweating, insomnia)
Behavioral
- Taking higher doses than prescribed or using someone else's prescription
- Visiting multiple doctors or running out of medication early
- Mixing benzos with alcohol or other drugs
- Pulling away from responsibilities or loved ones
Psychological
- Heightened anxiety when doses wear off
- Memory problems or difficulty concentrating
- Mood swings, irritability, or emotional numbness
- Cravings or persistent thoughts about using the drug
Benzo Withdrawal & Why You Shouldn't Detox Cold-Turkey
Benzodiazepines boost GABA, the brain's main calming chemical. Use them long enough and the brain makes less GABA of its own, relying on the drug to stay level. Cut back or stop and GABA crashes while glutamate surges. The nervous system goes into overdrive, driving up heart rate and blood pressure and, at worst, causing seizures.
- 1
Early Withdrawal
- Rebound anxiety or restlessness
- Insomnia, irritability, headaches
- Stomach discomfort
- 2
Acute Withdrawal
- Tremors or shaking
- Rapid heartbeat or sweating
- Hallucinations or seizures (in high-risk cases)
- 3
Protracted (PAWS)
- Sleep issues
- Concentration problems, waves of anxiety
- Fatigue or stress sensitivity
Why Medical Detox Is Essential
Medically Guided Taper
A slow, controlled reduction of benzodiazepines prevents the shock to the nervous system that occurs with abrupt stopping.
24/7 Clinical Monitoring
Our nurses and medical staff track vital signs, neurological changes, and withdrawal progression to ensure safety.
Comfort & Stabilization Medications
Targeted medications help ease symptoms like anxiety, insomnia, tremors, and blood pressure spikes.
Immediate Medical Intervention
If complications arise — such as hallucinations, severe agitation, or seizures — our clinical teams can respond right away.
Dual Diagnosis & Benzo Addiction
Benzo addiction rarely travels alone. Many people dependent on Xanax, Klonopin, or Ativan also live with anxiety, panic attacks, insomnia, trauma, or depression. Withdrawal usually makes those worse, so they need clinical attention too — otherwise relapse is likely.
Our dual diagnosis program treats both the addiction and the underlying mental-health conditions at the same time. Clients receive psychiatric support, medication management when appropriate, and evidence-based therapies designed to rebuild emotional stability and reduce long-term reliance on benzos.
Our Levels of Care
Treatment moves through stages. These are the four we provide, in the order most clients experience them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Early signs include increasing tolerance, taking higher doses than prescribed, running out of medication early, drowsiness, memory problems, and anxiety between doses. Many people also begin using benzos to cope with everyday stress instead of medical need.
Stopping Xanax, Klonopin, Ativan, or other benzos suddenly can be dangerous and may trigger seizures, hallucinations, severe anxiety, or heart-rate spikes. Medical detox is essential to taper safely and protect your nervous system.
Benzo withdrawal typically lasts 1–4 weeks, but some symptoms can linger for several months depending on the dose, duration of use, and whether the medication was short- or long-acting.
Detoxing from benzodiazepines at home is unsafe. Because withdrawal can lead to seizures or severe psychological symptoms, medical supervision is necessary to taper slowly and monitor vital signs.
Detox only stabilizes the body. Residential treatment addresses the mental and emotional causes of benzo addiction — such as anxiety, trauma, insomnia, or stress — reducing the risk of relapse.
Dependence means the body has adapted to the medication and experiences withdrawal without it. Addiction includes dependence plus compulsive use, cravings, and difficulty controlling intake despite negative consequences.
Extremely dangerous. These combinations slow breathing, heart rate, and cognitive function, dramatically increasing the risk of overdose and fatal respiratory depression. A large portion of benzo-related deaths involve another substance, most commonly opioids.
Benzo addiction often overlaps with anxiety disorders, PTSD, and insomnia. Dual diagnosis treatment addresses both the addiction and the underlying mental-health condition to improve long-term outcomes.
It depends on the individual and their substance use history, but most clients complete detox in 5–14 days and continue residential treatment for 20–45 days, depending on severity, mental-health needs, and progress in therapy.
Most insurance plans cover benzo addiction treatment, including medical detox, residential care, and dual diagnosis services. Our team can verify your insurance benefits quickly and explain what your plan covers before you begin. Call 866-591-0888.
Get Started Today
Recover safely from benzodiazepine dependence
Reaching out is the first step toward change. Speak with a caring admissions specialist today — confidentially and without pressure.